Mallory Samson

Where: Amber Waves Farm, Amagansett, New York Who: Amanda Merrow, Katie Baldwin, and Carissa Waechter See all of the previous installments in this series: Farm Life Through the Seasons at Amber Waves Farm – A New Generation on the Farm This year we’ve been following the rhythms and daily life at a New York farm, Amber Waves, run by two young women, Katie Baldwin and Amanda Merrow.

When Katie and Amanda of Amber Waves Farm were securing food for their end-of-year potluck, in celebration of a successful season at their farm, they knew the freshest fish they could find would be from Dock to Dish, a local seafood CSA based out of Long Island. Dock to Dish is the “salt water brother of farm-to-table,” says Sean Barrett, company founder, fisherman and restaurateur.

As the cooler winds begin to blow off the Atlantic, the days become shorter, and before the first frost settles in, Amber Waves Farm begins its transition to winter. For me, the time is bittersweet as Katie and Amanda take on the task of putting the farm and fields to bed. For these last days of the 2014 farm season, there is much to do! It’s been a wonderful season! Much more than I expected.

Making friends and partners with local farmers has been one of the key elements of success for Katie and Amanda at Amber Waves Farm. One good friend has been Pete Ludlow of Mecox Bay Dairy. Pete and his father Art Ludlow have become fixtures at local farmers markets on the East End of Long Island – including the Montauk Farmers Market where Katie and Amanda met Pete in 2009 and struck up a mutually beneficial relationship.

Celebrating the harvest is a tradition that is deeply entrenched in farm culture. During the summer months, time is precious and devoted to working the fields. With the cooler weather of autumn the frantic pace lessens, leaving time to reflect on the season and to thank the community for their help and patronage.

Where: Amber Waves Farm, Amagansett, New York Who: Amanda Merrow, Katie Baldwin, and Carissa Waechter See all of the previous installments in this series: Farm Life Through the Seasons at Amber Waves Farm – A New Generation on the Farm Many times over the course of the growing season, I have witnessed Katie Baldwin and Amanda Merrow of Amber Waves Farm, a community organic farm on the East End of Long Island, start and end their days on tractors.

This is my 5th year living on Long Island’s East End, where the abundance of local vegetables, fruits, flowers, honey is incredible – with farm stands and farmers markets providing the community with the freshest ingredients all season long. But this is my first season where I’m more than just a “shopper” and have become part of a farm – joining as a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) member at Amber Waves Farm.

We’ve been showing you the work that goes into running a farm through the main growing season. As we move into the height of the summer season, I am astounded by the dedication, hard work, and exuberance of the young women and men who have chosen to work a season on the farm: the apprentices! Meet this year’s crew below, and learn more about what farm apprenticeship is.

One thing I’ve learned after a few weeks of following Katie and Amanda of Amber Waves Farm is that an average day for them is not so “average.” In mid-June, early into the harvest season at this CSA farm in Amagansett, NY, I took on the task of following them from sun up to sun down. In a single day the farmers conduct an orchestra of activities: harvesting, hoeing, planting, working with children, and preparing for weekly CSA pick ups.

It’s my first day at Amber Waves Farm, getting to know the lay of the land and the two impressive young women who envisioned this unique farm on the far East End of Long Island: Katie Baldwin and Amanda Merrow.